Elias stood at the threshold of the building, the weight of what lay ahead settling heavy in his gut. His gaze followed the neon sign hanging above the building's entrance, flashing in large neon letters: Beast Tamer Recruitment Trials. His heartbeat, which began to increase in pace, kicked his feet forward, pushing him inside as the remaining shreds of doubt swallowed by a newfound steely resolve.
Events of the past few days had pushed him into a corner. After testing his powers in that dilapidated building, Elias was left with more questions than answers. The strange energy running inside his body still felt foreign and unstable, but he knew one thing-it wasn't something he could live in ignorance of. The beasts, the rifts, and the fact that Celestia trusted him-which precluded him from being indecisive-all called for immediate action.
He took a deep breath and shoved through the entrance.
The air inside smelled of sweat and anticipation. The huge hall was packed with people, mostly young adults, their faces rife with determination and nervousness in turns. There were advertisements on the walls, and a big screen displayed at the front end of a stage across the room, reflected a countdown. Elias already knew that this was going to be quite intense; this was not just a recruitment event; it was a test of character.
A voice came over the loudspeaker system, overriding the murmurs of the crowd.
"Welcome, future Beast Tamers. The trials will begin in five minutes. Please proceed to your designated areas."
Elias watched the other participants-many gave furtive, nervous glances to each other. Some shifted their weight nervously on their feet as their hands started either to or fiddle with the weapons strapped to their sides, or adjusting gear fitfully. They were all here for one reason: a chance to prove themselves worthy of the title, Beast Tamer. Elias wasn't sure if he was ready, but he knew he couldn't turn back now.
He fell into the growing line of participants, blending with them as the tide of people washed toward a set of large doors at the rear of the hall. The guards stationed there barely gave them a second glance; cold, impassive eyes scanned each in passing, searching for anything out of the ordinary. A few tense moments later, Elias was ushered through the door into a stark white room.
There were no windows here, only row upon row of seats facing the central podium. Upon the stage, one man stood; his back was to the crowd. There was something commanding about him, his posture perfect, and from the instant Elias laid eyes on him, he knew this was the real deal.
"Welcome to the trials," the man said, his voice sharp and authoritative. "I am Bartholomew Stark. The name you'll all come to know as the Beast Tamer who will push you to your limits."
The crowd fell silent. Elias felt a wave of familiarity suddenly surge through him. Bartholomew Stark. The very same name he had seen outside on the advertisement. He was a living legend in the Beast Tamer community, his name spoken in the same breath as power and accomplishment.
"Now, let me make one thing clear," Bartholomew said, pivoting to face them. His eyes, keen as knives, swept across the sea of people; instinctively, everyone stood a little straighter.
"The Beast Tamer trials are not for the people who are weak with faint hearts. Only those with the strength to command beasts, to face danger without hesitation, will make it. And let me make one thing crystal clear-this will not be easy. Failure means nothing other than disqualification."
With participants exchanging anxious glances, the soft rustle of people moving nervously filled the room. Elias felt his stomach constrict in one big knot. It was just as he had anticipated: hard, merciless, and meant to find the weak from the strong.
Bartholomew's eyes came to rest on Elias, and in one flashing moment, they stared into each other's eyes. The depth of his stare made Elias feel like he'd been weighed in some invisible power. Yet, before he could ponder over it, Bartholomew moved on, his voice sure and steady.
"You will be tested on your strength, your endurance, your ability to bond with beasts, and your leadership skills. We'll be putting you through a series of simulations, followed by live combat scenarios. Some of you might fail today. Some of you may not make it out alive. But only the best will earn the title of Beast Tamer."
With that, Bartholomew nodded toward the doors at the back of the room. "Step forward when your name is called. The trials begin now."
Elias's pulse went off like a rocket. A wave of nervousness washed over him, sending shivers down his spine.
The first few names were called, and participants stepped forward with varying degrees of confidence. Some walked with pride; others with trembling hands. Elias took a deep breath and steeled himself. His name was next.
"Elias Stroud."
He stepped forward, up onto the stage, literally under the sight of every person in the room. Bartholomew's gaze was cold, judgmental, as he beckoned Elias to stand before him.
"Elias Stroud," Bartholomew rumbled, deep and low. "Tell me why you think you are worthy of becoming a Beast Tamer.
Elias was dumbfounded; the weight of the question fell directly on his shoulders. He did not know what to say. After a few seconds of uneasy silence, he spoke firmly but with sincerity in his voice.
"I am not here because I think that I am something special; I'm here because I want to protect people-to protect them against the rifts, the beasts, everything that is going on out there. I will not just stand by and do nothing. I may not have the experience, but I have the will to fight."
Bartholomew considered him a moment, then nodded once. "A noble reason. But let us see if that will has the ability to withstand the trials. Go, get on to the platform."
He was instructed to the large square platform standing in the middle of the room. Glowing symbols etched into the floor, surrounding the structure, faintly pulsating with energy. As these mysterious symbols powered up emitting an ethereal glow, the platform began humming and sending a strange ripple through the air. Elias's palms grew sweaty, his heart pounded in his chest, but he didn't back down.
Behind him, the doors hissed open and a hulking creature strode into the room.
It was a Wyrm, a serpentine beast whose scales glittered like obsidian. Its eyes glowed red and its maw dripped with venom as it growled low and moved around the platform to consider its prey.
The crowd gasped. This wasn't any simulation; this was real. The beast was right there, and Elias had to face it alone.
Bartholomew's voice sliced through the tension. "Fight. Show us what you're capable of."
Elias held nothing back. He could feel it inside of him stirring, the same power that coursed through him when he had helped Celestia; it was alive again. This time, he focused on it, channelling that strange energy into his hands. He didn't know how he was doing this, but he felt energy wrap around him like a shield, warmth steady and strong.
The Wyrm lunged at him, fangs bared, but Elias, quick enough, rolled to the side just in time. The beast let out a frustrated hiss and then attacked again, its body moving at almost too much speed for the human eye to catch. But Elias wasn't just reacting. He was anticipating.
With one swift motion, Elias reached out and sent a gush of energy soaring directly into the Wyrm's chest. It tumbled back, dizzy but there was no sign of backing down. The pounding of Elias' heart within his chest heaved as he readied himself for the next move.
The Wyrm leaped at him again, this time at Elias's legs. He sprang into the air, his body acting from instinct. He landed and immediately thrust his hand forward once more, another surge of energy bursting from his hand and sending the beast off its feet.
For a moment, the Wyrm stumbled, confused by the successive blows. But Elias charged forward, denial of defeat shining in his eyes. He called upon every last shred of energy he could find, his power crackling in the air around him.
The Wyrm, realising its defeat in combat, let out a fierce roar. It bounced once more, but Elias was prepared. Calling upon the final large amount of energy from within, he launched a powerful beam of light that threw Wyrm onto its back, forming a large hole in its body where his attack landed.
It did not move.
The room was still.
It was Bartholomew's voice that broke the silence. "Impressive. You showed strength and control. You have passed the first trial."
Elias's knees buckled as the rush of adrenaline left his body, but he did not fall. He stayed upright, breathing heavily, his mind still racing from the fight. The crowd erupted into applause, and for the first time since he arrived, Elias allowed himself a moment of satisfaction.
But he knew it was just the beginning-the trials had only just begun.